The best weapon for fighting ageing

What springs to mind when you think of anti-aging: moisturising? Lasers and surgery? Cutting out smoking, sunbathing or late nights? Well, what about facial massage? I'm a believer that it's the ultimate way to keep your face in shape.

Last week I was lucky enough to visit Su-Man, a unique therapist whose signature 'facial' at the AWAY Spa in London's W Hotel, is SO much more than just that.

Just like exercising your body, facial massage promotes blood flow which brightens your complexion, and increases muscles tone to make your skin more taught and lifted. It also encourages skin cell renewal and toxin release reducing puffiness and common signs of fatigue. The first time I tried it, the therapist showed me my complexion in a mirror after she'd worked on one half of my face and the difference was seriously starling – the treated side was brighter, firmer and significantly more defined.

Su-Man performs each massage 36 times, multiples of six which is a lucky number in Chinese culture stemming from an ancient belief that the universe was constructed by six dimensions – Heaven, Earth, North, South, East and West. The ritualistic treatment moves through an intense cleanses with steaming, gentle extraction, exfoliation, application of a nourishing botanical placenta mask, toning and moisturising which extends from the face to the décolletage, shoulders and arms.

It is deeply relaxing experience with instantly visible results. But don't just take my word for it, a hoard of famous faces agree including Anne Hathaway who called her treatment a "life-changing experience" and Freida Pinto who said "I feel truly blessed to have had Su-Man's facial".

A prescription for looking and feeling your best would be to have an appointment with Su-Man every month, but unless you're in Ms Hath's A-list clan this could be financially ambitious. Luckily facial massage is something you can do at home and Su-Man has given me detailed daily self-massage tips to share with you. Read them, print them and practice! If you're too time-strapped to do it regularly invest in the Facial Massager from The Body Shop, it's a nifty tool, but do try and treat yourself to an hour with Su-Man's healing hands - your face will thank you.

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